OKW Bus Service

[RobDoc]

Disney has been tinkering with the bus transportation system for a few years now.

A couple of years ago they started the "on-demand" program that included dispatching buses during various times of the day. As first instituted, on-demand left a lot to be desired, but with continued fine tuning the current state of the system is getting great reviews.

The are presently using a "flexible dispatch" system that directs buses to areas of need rather than running static routes all day. In most cases, this results in wait times of no more than 15 minutes- both from resorts and parks. There are dispatchers at each park to direct incoming buses to a stop where guests have been waiting. The buses do not necessarily run routes between a park and a resort, but are directed to a variety of combinations.

I have always been impressed with the general level of transportation at WDW and never drive- even when we have a car with us. The current status of the system has never been better, IMHO.

While my recent experiences have been at OKW only, I believe that all resorts are enjoying the same success. There will certainly be times when guests will still experience filled buses, but the present system does address the main issues of the past.

Enjoy!

 

[PamOKW]

More good news!

How was check-in? Did you think it was different than in the past? Did you get a room that met your requests?

 

[RobDoc]

We arrived late at night (10:45pm). Check-in was easy- they had everything ready for us at the desk (just like the old "Express Check-in" days at OKW) and we did get our requests. (I tend to keep requests simple- N/S and upper floor- so they are pretty easy to meet.)

All is well!

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Thanks, Doc! We, too, always use the bus transportation even if we have a car and haven't ever had any problems. Glad to know that they are trying to make a good process even better!

 

[lsutigger2]

Thanks for the bus info, Doc! We'll be making our first OKW stay shortly and while DH is playing golf, I'll be riding those buses to the parks! Glad to know all is well!

 

[Scott H]

We also always use the bus and never rent a car for our stays. I like the bus service and I would hate to drive from EPCOT after Illumination gets over.

Great to hear that the system had been tuned up and is working well.

Doc, I for one really appreciate the efforts you make to keep us all informed. Thanks Muchas,

 

[vernon]

Good to hear Doc, although I wonder how that works if no guests are leaving the parks for a particular resort, but there are guests waiting at the resorts. I can see that at a resort like ASM where the bus stops are in front of the resort reception where CM's can see any queues, but for a resort like OKW I'm not sure how anyone would know that 40 people are waiting at Miller road wanting to go to AKL.
I tend to use the bus system for the main themeparks and drive to the waterparks, I've always found them more than adiquate for my needs.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by vernon
I wonder how that works if no guests are leaving the parks for a particular resort, but there are guests waiting at the resorts. I can see that at a resort like ASM where the bus stops are in front of the resort reception where CM's can see any queues, but for a resort like OKW I'm not sure how anyone would know that 40 people are waiting at Miller road wanting to go to AKL.
I tend to use the bus system for the main themeparks and drive to the waterparks, I've always found them more than adiquate for my needs.

They also track the timing for buses leaving each park- so travel to the resorts is not entirely based on guests waiting for a return. There have been times when waits between buses has been 10 minutes or less for that very reason.

The dispatcher keeps a log of the time a bus left for each resort, so one can be sent on it's way for the 40 guests waiting to go to AK (there are no buses from OKW to AKL or from any other resort to AKL for that matter ).

It's been nice thus far and best of all, the drivers themselves enjoy the new changes- although they sometimes have a tough time remembering which resort they're bound for!

 

[danny1649]

For the information and glad Disney is trying to improve on bus system.Have a great time and try to stay cool.

 

[caskar]

I agree, Doc. The bus transportation has changed for the better due to the dispatcher . An example of what you have discussed here happened at BCV in early August to us. We came to the bus stop in the morning just as MK bus was leaving. The dispatcher said a bus would be around in 15 to 20 minutes. A long time to sit but that's the way it goes. But after we sat down it seemed everyone else just missed the MK bus as there was now about 25 people standing around waiting. I saw the dispatcher get on the radio and within 5 minutes a bus showed up to take us to MK. So what was to be a 15 to 20 minute wait ending up to be a 5 to 10 minute wait.

I also observed this happening at the parks. Where the crowds were waiting is where the bus seemed to go. Sometimes the bus driver would tell us even though we are being dropped off here(at this bus stop) the bus stop back to BCV is #... He must have been dispatched to pick up at the resort that had many people waiting.

Bus service is much better!

 

[JimC]

Thanks Doc. We are fans of the bus system as well. They run a very large bus system better than most cities.

Glad to see that they continue to improve service while managing costs.